Teachers
Each of our teachers offers a unique and personal style of teaching. All Lotus Studio teachers have attained internationally recognised teacher registration to assure you of clear guidance through a safe and informative practice. Our teachers are deeply committed to their own practice and teaching.
Vinyasa
with Kama
Kama is the owner of Lotus studios, a dedicated Yogini and mother of 2 with a deep love of all things yoga. She completed her Vinyasa teacher training (YA RYT200) in Bali at Radiantly Alive in 2016. Since then she has continued her education by completing a further 300hr yoga course based partly in India, a children's yoga course, various online anatomy courses and Iyengar training She continues to grow through her own self practice and continuing study.
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Join Kama for a dynamic, flowing vinyasa yoga practice that cultivates presence by connecting movement with breath. Awaken your strength, energy and flexibility in a fun atmosphere.
“Yoga is not about touching your toes, it is about who you become on the way down . . .”
Hatha and Yin
with Olia
Olia began practicing Voga 10 years ago in her home country Belarus.
After moving to South Africa in 2011 her yoga journey continued.
As her own practice was getting deeper physically, mentally and emotionally she decided on enrolling into 500Hr International
ISHTA (Integral School of Hatha Yoga and Tantric Arts) YTT led by Marina Contardo at the ISHTA
School of Yoga & Health in Johannesburg which she completed in 2014.
Olia teaches from her heart. Her classes offer creative sequences from gentle to more vigorous, depending on the abilities of the students. She likes to experiment with asanas but also plays with meaningful quotes, yogic philosophy, pranayama, meditation to create a non-competitive and nurturing space for students to discover the benefits of yoga, heal and grow
Iyengar Yoga
with Jane
Jane is a certified Level 2 Iyengar teacher with RIMYI Pune and the BKSI Yoga
Institute of South Africa. She has been teaching since 2007 and has loved the
practice of yoga from an early age.
Jane teaches lyengar yoga on an introductory and intermediate level, and her
classes are accessible to all. Her Gentle and Restorative classes allow students of
all ages to connect to the practice, and to feel revived and restored after a class.
The use of props enables students to do the postures with the correct alignment to
obtain the full benefits of the pose, as well as assiting with any injuries or limitations.
I thank the Iyengar family and all my teachers who have taught me over the years
and encouraged and strengthened my yoga practice.
“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person
who sees.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Mobility & Flexibility
with Tatum
Tatum has spent many years studying and practising various modalities of meditation and Iyengar Yoga, qualifying as an Iyengar Yoga teacher in 2019. She has recently completed her Level 1 Somatic Yoga teacher training through Embody with MM, led by Meghan MacCarthy.
Somatic Yoga is an adaptable and deeply comforting practice that gently nourishes the nervous system. Tatum is passionate about offering movement practices that are both supportive and empowering, creating a playful and safe space for exploration and self-learning.
Her Functional Mobility classes focus on strength within functional movement, combined with gentle flow, core work, balance, breath practice, and somatic awareness. These classes are designed to be both strengthening and nurturing, and are suitable for all levels.
In her Somatic Unwind classes, Tatum guides students through a calming, mostly ground-based practice to release stress and unwind the nervous system at the end of the week. These sessions invite you to explore new ways of moving, shift habitual patterns, and discover greater freedom within your body, all in a very safe and supportive environment.
Across all her classes, Tatum weaves together functional mobility, balance, strength, breath awareness, and intuitive self-learning to create a deeply embodied experience.
Mindful Flow and Breath & Body Conditioning
with Natasha
Yoga found Natasha in her early 20's and blossomed into a life long journey. She completed her 108 sun solutions 8 1/2 months pregnant obtaining her 200 YTT before the birth of her first son. She is also a fully certified Basi pilates instructor.
Yoga is a journey from the self to the self, but it doesn't mean the journey can't be fun.
Her mindful vinyasa class connects breath to movement along with some great music to inspire you.
Any level of fitness or experience with yoga is welcome. Her focus is for you to become more connected and aware of the beautiful body and sprit you have
Yoga Fusion
with Debbie
Debbie started her yoga journey in 1997 purely as an addition to Her exercise program. But quickly realized the extensive benefits both - physically and mentally - and 24 years later She still loves it and continues to evolve with it.
Her passion and training also led Her to Thailand where She studied Nuad
Boran (Northern Style Thai
Massage).
Join Debbies classes for toning, and strength with flexibility - finished off with a blissful guided relaxation. all levels welcome
her style of yoga has evolved over the years to incorporate pilates and other types of toning, She believes that everyone should do some form of yoga but sometimes you need to add a little something else to convince the skeptics. "It gives me so much pleasure to see my students become more flexible and strong as they go on this journey with me
Nia
Neuro muscular action
with Cecile
Cecile is passionate about NIA, Ballet, Pilates, being active, and social & cultural activities.
After completing her studies at Stellenbosch University she lived in South Korea for 6 years, where she taught English. In 2014, she attended the BASI Mat Pilates Instructors course in Seoul and completed her exams in Cape Town in March 2015.(BASI is an International Pilates Company, priding itself in its various professional instructor courses.)
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Cecile and her family relocated to Knysna in 2018. During 2022 Cecile qualified as a Face Yoga teacher, with the Danielle Collins Face Yoga School in the UK.
Cecile qualified as a NIA White Belt instructor, with the guidance of Mia Steyn in March 2023.
Cecile's mission is to add value, with a true and loving connection, to your healthy lifestyle path! Join Cecile in a Nia class to experience a blend of dance, martial arts, healing arts, music and JOY into an effective, inspiring and adaptable whole-body experience thateveryBody can do!
Pilates & Barre
with Tristan
Tristans lifetime love for movement lead her down a path of self-discovery and uncovered a deep fascination in anatomy and the human body. This lead to her on a journey of studying STOTT Pilates, intensive matwork and to becoming a certified Bootybarre Instructor.
Join Tristan for a workout technique inspired by elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates. It focuses on low-impact, high intensity movements designed to strengthen your whole body! In addition to building strength, this full-body workout also develops agility and flexibility. And its all motivated by a great playlist! Bring along your determination, your laughter, and a desire to sweat whilst toning and stretching your whole body. This is movement for every body.
Pilates & Body Maintenance
with Leslie
Lesley's pilates classes or private lessons are a whole body exercise, focusing on integration of strength, balance and body awareness. These classes accommodate all ages and abilities helping to improve posture and core strength alleviating typical lower back and neck pain.
Step and Bootcamp aerobics
with Tash
Tash believes that fitness is the key to a healthy mind and body. She started her yoga journey at the age of 16 and the proverbial yoga-bug bit immediately. After 19 years, I have practiced various styles of yoga but have strong roots in Ashtanga and power yoga.
My passion for practicing yoga turned into a passion for teaching it and this led me to the US for a short stint where I was an instructor for 6 months. Upon returning, whether it was expanding my own practice or instructing others, yoga has always been a part of my life.
My approach to yoga is a holistic one and I believe that yoga is just as important for the mind as it is for the body. This is why I design my classes to include both exercise and guided relaxation. My goal is for my students to leave my classes feeling that they have had a good workout as well as having let go of some of the stress they arrived with.
I look forward to seeing you on the mat.
Kundalini Yoga
with Storm
As a passionate advocate for holistic well-being, Storm discovered the profound practice of yoga at 19, an experience that blossomed into a lifelong romance. For the past decade, yoga has been an unwavering constant in her life. She completed a 220-hour Kundalini yoga teacher training, deepening her understanding of this transformative discipline.
Her belief is that yoga should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or experience. Her goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where individuals can learn, grow, and flourish in their own practice. She is dedicated to sharing the incredible benefits of yoga, helping others connect with their inner selves and cultivate balance in their lives.
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In the potent space of Kundalini Yoga, we don't just stretch; we awaken. This yoga is a transformative journey into the technology of the self, where ancient practices meet modern consciousness. Through dynamic movement (kriyas), powerful breathwork (pranayama), meditation and resonante sound (mantra), we will shake off old patterns, activate our inner energy and expand our awareness. It's a practice of self-discovery that empowers you to live with greater purpose, joy and peace. Prepare to break through limitations, elevate your spirit and connect with the infinite potential that resides within you. This is more than a workout; it's a profound recalibration of your mind, body and soul. Come as you are, leave as you were always meant to be
Peace Meditation Practice
with Kevin
Kevin has been practising Zen for over 20 years and has been an ordained Zen teacher for the past 14 years. His original Zen home is within the Korean Zen tradition, and he is now focused on bringing the Zen way — “to wake up and serve all beings” — into a form of practice that can be more readily accommodated by Western minds. Kevin refers to this work as the Peacemaker Project and the Way of the Peacemaker.
A retired chemical engineer specialising in water services, Kevin continues to volunteer his expertise in this field. He also offers his time as a volunteer counsellor at a local NPO, reflecting his deep commitment to service and community wellbeing.
At Lotus Studio, Kevin facilitates a weekly by-donation meditation practice rooted in the Peacemaker Project — a gentle yet powerful invitation to cultivate peace in the mind, care in the heart, and purposeful action in service of the wellbeing of all. Guided by the philosophy of “a revolution from the inside for the outside”, these sessions offer a supportive space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters, both personally and collectively.
Kevin is married to Jane, an Iyengar yoga teacher at Lotus Studio. Together, they have six children and twelve grandchildren.
This practice is open to all, with no previous meditation experience required.